# initialize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz/ · frequency rank #56,199

## Definitions
1. To assign initial values to something.
2. To assign an initial value to a variable.
3. To format a storage medium prior to use.
4. To prepare any hardware (such as a printer or scanner) for use.
5. To reduce (a phrase) to an initialism, or a word to its initial.

## Etymology
From initial + -ize.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/initialize